Pacers All-Star Paul George said Friday he is switching to No. 13 to capitalize on his growing presence in Indiana and the league.

"The whole theme behind PG-13 is just coming into my own," George said in his first public comments since severely breaking his leg Aug. 1 during a USA Basketball scrimmage. "I feel like I am at that stage where I am ready to embrace everything that comes with ... being one of the young stars in this league.

"The whole thing is to be able to enjoy the show and being fun to watch."

It was a bittersweet comment given that "the show" could be delayed as much as a year due to George's injury.

While George submitted the paperwork earlier this spring — the NBA Board of Governors approved the switch earlier this week — transitioning from No. 24 to 13 has been in the works for years.

"I actually was going to change my number going into my rookie year," said George. "I remember sitting in the car with my agent and we were discussing how PG-13 could be a good fit for my career because I wasn't a household name, because it was something for fans to kind of gravitate to."

He was admittedly superstitious about changing his number but applied anyway two years ago. Someone else, however, beat him to it.

"I applied to change my number first but then we had some bone-headed kid come in and take 13," he said with a laugh.

That "bone-headed kid" was former Duke player and Warsaw native Miles Plumlee, Indiana's first-round pick in 2012. When Plumlee was traded to the Phoenix Suns as part of the Luis Scola trade prior to the start of the 2013-14 season, No. 13 was cleared for George.

"When I had the opportunity to do so again, we jumped on it," George said. "I've been with 24 for as long as I can remember and it has always been one of my favorite numbers. And being a big Kobe (Bryant) fan growing up had a little bit to do with it."

Because George submitted the request prior to the March 7 deadline, he was not required to pay for the remaining No. 24 jerseys on the market, but did anyway.

Approximately 600 pieces of No. 24 apparel (mostly jerseys) were purchased and then distributed to students at his old high school as well as the local Boys and Girls Club in Palmdale, Calif. on Wednesday.

"I'm big in that community," said George. "And I want to stay that way."